Resources for Seniors Impacted by Hurricane Ian

(Last Updated: 9:00 a.m. November 17, 2022)

Elder Helpline 1-800-96-ELDER (35337)

The Elder Helpline answers calls during normal business hours and can help direct impacted seniors to appropriate state and federal resources.

There are Points of Distribution (PODs) providing food, water, and ice to impacted residents in Sarasota, Hardee, Desoto, Highlands, Lee, Charlotte and Collier counties. Current POD locations can be found at: floridadisaster.org/info/.
The Disaster Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (D-SNAP) provides food assistance for individuals and families impacted by Hurricane Ian and who are not receiving food assistance benefits through the regular Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP). D-SNAP is being implemented in phases and by county. Pre-registration is required by all applicants. For more information, visit https://myflfamilies.com/DSNAP/.

Federal disaster assistance is available to affected individuals in Charlotte, Collier, DeSoto, Flagler, Hardee, Highlands, Hillsborough, Lake, Lee, Manatee, Orange, Osceola, Pinellas, Polk, Putnam, Sarasota and Seminole, St. Johns and Volusia counties following the impact of Hurricane Ian. Survivors can apply for disaster assistance at disasterassistance.gov, by calling 800-621-3362 from 7 a.m. to 11 p.m. Eastern Time, or by using the FEMA mobile app. If you use a relay service such as video relay service (VRS), captioned telephone service or others, give FEMA the number for that service.
U.S. Small Business Administration disaster loans are now available to businesses and residents in Florida following the Hurricane Ian disaster declaration. Applicants may apply at disasterloanassistance.sba.gov under declaration #17644. For help, call 800-659-2955 or email DisasterCustomerService@sba.gov.

If you need help with damage from Hurricane Ian, contact the Crisis Cleanup Line at (800) 451-1954. Volunteers may be able to assist with cutting fallen trees; drywall, flooring, & appliance removal; tarping roofs; and mold mitigation. Service is free but not guaranteed.

Open shelters (general population and special needs) may be found at: floridadisaster.org/shelter-status/.
Visit FloridaHousingSearch.org – This free, statewide search platform is updated to ensure all listings are accurate and can help you quickly locate an affordable rental property. If you do not have Internet access, you may also call the following toll-free number for assistance in conducting a search: 1-877-428-8844.
More Housing-related disaster relief resources and information can be found at Disaster Relief Resources and Information (floridahousing.org)

A toll-free legal aid hotline is now available for victims of Hurricane Ian and the resultant damage in Florida. The service, which allows callers to request the assistance of a lawyer, is a partnership between The Florida Bar, The Florida Bar Young Lawyers Division, the American Bar Association Young Lawyers Division, and the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA).
The hotline is available to connect survivors to free legal services in qualifying counties who cannot afford an attorney. Survivors can call (866) 550-2929 at anytime and can leave a message if calling after hours.
Hotline callers may get help with legal issues like:
- FEMA and SBA financial benefits
- Home repair contracts and property insurance claims
- Re-doing wills and other important legal documents destroyed in the disaster
- Price gouging, scams, or identity theft
- Landlord or tenant problems, or threats of foreclosure
- Disability-related access to federal, state and local disaster programs

The Florida Department of Children and Families (DCF) has opened five Family Resource Support Centers with staff on site, including Hope Navigators, behavioral health partners who specialize in disaster recovery response, and public benefit eligibility specialists to help individuals and families. More information can be found here: myflfamilies.com/frsc.
The Department of Economic Opportunity (DEO) has waived work search reporting and additional reemployment assistance requirements for Floridians Impacted by Hurricane Ian. The Disaster Unemployment Assistance claim deadline is December 30^th, 2022. To file a claim, go to floridajobs.org and select “File a Claim,” visit a local CareerSource Career Center, or call 1-800-385-3920.

The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration offers 24/7, 365-day-a-year crisis counseling and support to people experiencing emotional distress related to a natural disaster. Call or text Disaster Distress Helpline, 1-800-985-5990 or visit samhsa.gov/find-help/disaster-distress-helpline for more information.
Florida Department of Children and Families (DCF) launched the Family Support Line, which connects individuals and families who were impacted by Hurricane Ian with peers who were impacted and have recovered from Hurricane Michael. Individuals who would like to talk with a Family Support Peer can call 888-850-SWFL. For more information, visit Disaster Mental Health Resources | Florida Disaster.
The Florida Department of Health (DOH) and DCF have partnered with BetterHelp to offer mental health services through three months of free online therapy to those impacted by Hurricane Ian. To access these free services, Floridians can visit betterhelp.com/voucher and use code: HurricaneIan. BetterHelp will then prompt impacted Floridians with a questionnaire to best match them with a licensed mental health professional. For more information, visit Disaster Mental Health Resources | Florida Disaster.